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Danielle Free

. storyteller . writer . researcher .

Danielle is a traditional performance oral storyteller who has a love for weird folk, fairy, and wonder tales, and sassy animal stories. Though, her absolute love is for finding the stories of overlooked historical women (of which there are many...) so she can lend them her tongue so they can speak once again, to tell of their loves, travels, fates, horrors, and dreams. Danielle weaves together history and folklore with a contemporary twist.

I'm a prize-winning writer, with poetry, flash fiction and short stories published in various places, including 'The BCU Benjamin Zephaniah Future Writers Anthology', Broken Spine's 'Out.Skirts : LGBTQIA+ Anthology', and in Bowen St. Press' 'Unlikeable Women' short story collection. I'm also an Assistant Writer for Writing West Midlands' Spark Young Writers programme.I've trained with many well known and professional storytellers, such as Michael Harvey and Daniel Morden, and am mentored by Amy Douglas. I was awarded a place on a Mentorship Scheme hosted by storytelling production company, Adverse Camber. I'm also the co-founder of GOSH! (Get Our Stories Heard), a peer support group for storytellers.I work with schools, libraries, museums, heritage sites, festivals, communities, and organisations to deliver performances, workshops, and participatory events that are engaging, fun and memorable.

My practice is rooted in oral tradition, cultural memory, and women's history. My research into the representation of Celtic women for my MA in Celtic Studies formed the foundation of my debut feature length historical storytelling show, The Conditions for Courage (2025). Listen to my interview with BBC Shropshire here, all about the show & historical storytelling. You can also read about a bit more about what I do via the Shropshire Star & Shrewsbury Magazine.I delight in myth, magic, and folktale, and combine the the real lives of forgotten people and places with the folkloric and fantasy to create unique work for a contemporary audience of all ages.Listen to me tell some stories on the Super Great Kids' Stories podcast!Get in touch to book me for your own event or workshop!

Worked with & supported by:

Events

Get A word in edgeways festival

Saturday 10th October
Get A Word In Edgeways Festival, Holy Trinity Church, Much Wenlock, Shropshire
£5, 4:30pm - 5:30pm, suitable for 14+This is a one-woman storytelling show blending history, miracle, and lasting legacy to tell the stories of Milburga.The story of St. Milburga has survived for thirteen centuries in fragments: Saint, abbess, princess, miracle worker, daughter, spiritual mother, and more... Join me for an oral storytelling show, piecing together the woman behind the saint.

• More Info & Tickets

The Conditions For Courage

Saturday 24th October 2026
Past In The Park, Wrexham.
7:00pm start
Adults onlyThree women. Three acts of defiance. One untold history.
Danielle reclaims the lives of three remarkable European Celtic women: Chiomara, who turned her captor's arrogance into a deadly trap; Camma, a Priestess of Artemis who outwitted her husband's killer; and Eponina, who defied the Roman Empire all in the name of love. Untangling their stories from ancient agendas and Roman propaganda, 'The Conditions For Courage' reveals the very real women behind the stereotype, women who risked everything in the face of personal adversity.There are no fairy tale endings here.
Expect powerful, gritty stories of women who defied expectations in the name of love, loyalty, respect and revenge.
History is retold. Her story is reclaimed. Courage is redefined.

• More Info & Booking

Samhain Storytelling sunset hike

Sunday 1st November 2026
White Grit, Stapeley Hill, White Grit SY15 6DE, UK
15:30 - 19:30In collaboration with Ray Of Sunshine Adventures:
Step into the shadows this Halloween with a guided hike up Corndon Hill, timed perfectly for sunset on the summit. As dusk falls, we'll descend to Mitchell's Fold Stone Circle, where storyteller Danielle Free will share haunting legends of witches, dark magic and age-old superstition.Samhain marks the turning point between autumn and winter - a time traditionally associated with gathering, reflection and the belief that the boundary between our world and the spirit world grows thin.Our atmospheric evening hike takes us up Corndon Hill, a commanding borderland peak rising 513 metres above sea level. From its summit, views stretch across the Cambrian Mountains, Shropshire Hills and the winding River Severn. Its Bronze Age cairns offer reminders of the people, rituals and burials connected to this landscape more than 3,000 years ago.We'll reach the summit for sunset at approximately 4:41 pm, watching the final light fade as we welcome the darker half of the year.

• More Info & Booking

Past events

Winter Tales in the Library
Saturday 7th December, Shrewsbury Library, 1pm - 1:30pm
Free event, just turn up!

Folklore in the Library
Saturday 8th January 2025, Shrewsbury Library, 1pm - 1:30pm
Free event, just turn up!

The Conditions For Courage
Wednesday 9th April 2025, GEECS, University South Wales, Cardiff. 7pm - 9pm

Wild Gods
Friday 6th June 2025, Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, Castle Gates. 7pm - 9pm

Stories at Shrewsbury Summer Of Wellbeing
Tuesday 29th July, 2025 The Cut, Shrewsbury Wildlife Trust, 10am - Midday

The Conditions For Courage
Wednesday 20th August 2025, Lock91, A Sting in The Tale, Manchester, 7pm - 9pm

Oxford Storytelling Festival
Friday 5th - Sunday 9th September 2025.

The Conditions For Courage
Friday 3rd October 2025, The Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, Shrewsbury UK, 7pm - 9pm

Haunted Halloween Hike
Sunday 2nd November, 15:30 - 19:30, White Grit, Powys.

Solstice at Soulton Longbarrow
Saturday 20th December 14:30 - 17:30, Wem, Shropshire.

Stiperstones Sunrise: A Magical Solstice story walk
Sunday 21st December 7:30 - 11:30, Stiperstones, Shropshire.

Adult Storytelling at Llanfyllin Library
Tuesday 3rd March - Tuesday 7th April 2026, 4-5pm, Llanfyllin, Powys.

Easter Storytelling at Shrewsbury Museum
Thursday 2nd April 2026, 10:30 - 11:30am, Shrewsbury.

Beltane Celebration Full Moon Sunset Hike, Storytelling & Cacao Ceremony
Thursday 30th April, Bury Ditches.

Belle Vue Arts Festival: Adult fantasy trail & little legends story time
Sunday 7th June, Shrewsbury.

National Trust Dudmaston: Storytelling with Danielle
July 21st & Aug 25th 1-4pm, Dudmaston.

SCHOOLS & EDUCATION

I bring history, folklore and wonder to life in schools! My repertoire is full of vivid myths, fairy tales, folk tales, and true stories from the past, rediscovered through my own academic research into local histories and ancient Celtic & Roman women.Whether I'm igniting curiosity about the lives of people who walked before us or sparking imagination through world wonder tales, I aim to weave stories that stay with children long after the telling.I have extensive experience working with children and young people of all different ages and abilities. I ensure every child can take part in the joy of stories!

WHAT I OFFER:

My repertoire is wide and varied, which means I can tailor sessions to suit your school. You might like a focus on:

Whether you want your pupils to explore global tales, discover local folklore, or bring history alive, I'll create a storytelling experience that's just right for your school.

My sessions are:

Sessions vary in length from 30 - 90 minutes per class/workshop. Longer sessions include playful activities and games inspired by storytelling, oracy and improvisation.

I'm confident I can get your class excited about history, geography, creativity and culture through fun, interactive, oracy led workshops and engaging storytelling performances!

Why Storytelling?

The benefits of oral storytelling to teach children are incredible! They include:

PRICING

Schools can book me for assemblies, workshops and performances for a half or full day, or for recurring events. I provide unique resource packs post event so that teachers and pupils can continue exploring the stories and skills in class after I've left.I have a basic rate approved and supported by Equity but all quotes are bespoke to your needs and budget. Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion & quote.

Shows

Here you can find the shows that I have created, or am part of. All of these are available for booking. Please contact me for more information.

The Conditions For Courage

Where to see it:

24th October 2026, 7pm - 9pm.
Past in the Park, Flintshire, North Wales.
Tickets here.Monday 15th February, 2027, 7pm - 9pm.
Ropetackle Storytellers, Shoreham-by-Sea
In person tickets here.
Watch online tickets here.

The Conditions For Courage
Three women. Three acts of defiance. One untold history.
Celtic women are often remembered as fearless warriors and heroic leaders...but does this tell the whole story?Storyteller, Danielle Free, reclaims the lives of three remarkable European Celtic women: Chiomara, who turned her captor's arrogance into a deadly trap; Camma, a Priestess of Artemis who outwitted her husband's killer; and Eponina, who defied the Roman Empire all in the name of love. Untangling their stories from Plutarch's virtues, ancient politics and Roman propaganda, 'The Conditions For Courage' reveals the very real women behind the stereotype, women who risked everything in the face of personal adversity.
There are no fairy tale endings here.
Expect powerful, gritty stories of women who defied expectations in the name of love, loyalty, respect and revenge.History is retold. Her story is reclaimed. Courage is redefined.TW: Instances of sexual abuse, suicide, murder and genocide.Show length: Approx. 90 minutes
Suitable for: 16+Listen to me talk about the show on BBC Shropshire's Arun Verma's show here.Read my interview about the show and love of Celtic women with the Shropshire Star & My Shrewsbury magazine, here.

Fragments: st Milburga

The story of St. Milburga has survived for thirteen centuries in fragments: Saint, abbess, princess, miracle worker, daughter, spiritual mother, and more...This is a one-woman storytelling show blending history, miracle, and lasting legacy, that explores Milburga's life beyond religious doctrine and medieval propaganda. Danielle has meticulously researched Anglo-Saxon Christianity and life in the middle ages to bring a realistic, historical and equally imaginative retelling of the Life of Milburga.Commissioned by Get A Word In Edgeways Festival
Duration: 60minutes
Suitable For: 14+

REVIEWS

"Milburga - What a woman, what a show! It was descriptive and elegant. I knew nothing of her and am so pleased I’ve heard her story.""I knew a bit about Milburga but know A LOT now! Danielle's storytelling, use of music & movement were great, and really set the atmosphere."“The images I now have as favourites from Milburga's life and power and many and various thanks to your beautiful performance! I felt her presence and blessing in this honouring.”

Wild Gods

Are you ready for a wild night out with the Greek Gods?Journey deep into the chaotic worlds of Pan, the wild, panic-inducing God of nature, and Dionysus, the wine-soaked, gender non-conforming deity of festivity, ecstasy, and ritual madness.Through myth and mischief, revelry and raw power, Danielle and storyteller, Marcus Pibworth, will lead you on an unforgettable storytelling adventure into divine disorder.Expect storytelling that’s bold, immersive, and just a little bit unhinged — in the best way possible.Contains: Adult humour
Duration: 90 minutes
Suitable For: 16+

REVIEWS

"Loved the evening, relaxed, fun and engaging. So special to sit and be told stories as an adult! I loved the detail and expressiveness in the tales.""Wonderful night filled with two great story tellers. Both Marcus and Danielle never faltered and have a great ability to hold attention and have great skills with their humour too. Amazing night!""Lovely evening, intimate and immersive, at the end of a very stressful week it reminded me of the eternal story we are part of."

For booking and/or more information, please get in touch with me via my 'Contact' page.